Regularly eating meat can increase the risk of a range of conditions including heart disease, diabetes and pneumonia, according to a new study.
Previous studies have found that eating red and processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer; however, this Oxford University study is the first to examine the link between meat and some of the most common non-cancerous illnesses.
By analysing the health records and dietary habits of nearly half-a-million middle-aged people in the UK, the researchers found that regularly eating red meat, processed meat and poultry puts you at greater risk of nine different illnesses.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the lead author of the study Dr Keren Papier said the more you eat, the higher the risk.
“We do see that it does depend on how much meat you are consuming and the type of meat you are consuming,” she said.
“For instance, with every 70grm of additional intake per day of red and processed meat combined, we saw a 15% higher risk of ischemic heart disease and a 30% higher risk of diabetes.”
NEWS: Study finds links between regular #meat consumption and a range of common diseases 🥩
⬆️ Higher risk of #heartdisease, #diabetes + various other diseases
⬇️ Lower risk of iron-deficiency anaemia
Read more 👉 https://t.co/vBDq7LACF0@uk_biobank @BMCMedicine @KerenPapier pic.twitter.com/G0P6VOdbSd
— Nuffield Department of Population Health (@Oxford_NDPH) March 2, 2021
She said that body weight did have an effect on the findings; however, she noted that the findings did not go away when researchers took excess body weight into account.
She said regular meat eaters should consider reducing their meat intake to no more than 70grm per day.
“We have some good recommendations from the UK Government which suggest that if you are eating more than 90grms of red and processed meat a day, it is a good idea to reduce that to around 70grm a day,” she said.
“That looks something like three rashers of bacon or about a quarter pounder hamburger of beef.
“Although these Government guidelines are based predominantly on colorectal cancer, our findings suggest it is a good idea to limit your intake if you are having too much, for other health outcomes as well.”
Obesity
Dr Papier said switching away from meat products can help people keep a healthy body weight.
“We know that fruits and vegetables and lots of fibre foods are great for us so of course, what you eat replaces what you don’t eat,” she said.
“So, the more you can eat fruit and vegetables and legumes that is a good idea.
“We also know that eating too much red and processed meat can affect our environment so there are other reasons to make sure we are limiting our intake, if we are eating too much.”
She said anyone who does not eat meat and is worried about their iron intake should focus on getting “enough iron sources either from plant-based foods or from supplements.”
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